Category Archives: 2026

2026, Bird Study

Laurel’s Retreat Take 2

April 9, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Laurel’s Retreat – Take 2

I often return to the same idea or image, painting it again and again. After enjoying the first version so much, I felt drawn back to reimagine my childhood beach.

This time, I began with a focus on color—specifically orange and purple. Purple has always been my favorite, while orange has long been a color I struggled to connect with. With this piece, I set out to make peace with it—and I feel like I finally have.

What emerged is a more expressive, light-filled interpretation, shaped by warm shades of orange. The waves carry greater movement, the sky glows with a deeper warmth, and the reflection of the setting sun dances across the water in a way I hadn’t quite captured before.

This painting feels like a step forward—not only in technique, but in my relationship with color.

The dune grass returns as well, adding texture and grounding the shoreline. And of course, my little bunny remains—quietly tucked into the grasses, watching the tide roll in. Along the Oregon coast, it’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of wild rabbits.

This painting is deeply rooted in memory. It was inspired by a beach my mother took me to as a child, once known as Devil’s Elbow, now called Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. It is a place filled with both joy and reflection—a place where we later returned her ashes to the ocean. It remains a sacred and cherished part of my family’s story.

My mother, Laurel, loved the beach—for its quiet, its beauty, and the time we spent there together. With this second version, Laurel’s Retreat captures the numerous sunsets my family has enjoyed on this beach. Always breathtaking, and I leave in awe of our beautiful planet.

This piece is not just a painting of a place, but of connection, remembrance, and the gentle rhythm of return.

Price: TBA

2026, Bird Study, Whimsical

Laurel’s Retreat

March 30, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

This painting took time to find its way into the world. It began as just another ocean scene, but slowly transformed into something much more personal—a tribute to my mother, Laurel.

The first canvas for this idea now sits tucked away in my closet. I resisted the urge to take scissors to it, choosing instead to set it aside for another day. What you see here is canvas number two. I often talk about the painting I want to create and the painting that wants to be created. There’s a delicate balance between the two. I set out to paint a realistic ocean, but a more whimsical version insisted on emerging. What resulted is a piece that lives somewhere between those worlds—and I’m truly happy with the dance between them.

I’m especially excited about my progress with seagulls. This year, I’ve set a goal to focus on birds, working toward painting common species from memory. This piece gave me a wonderful opportunity to practice that intention.

Another new element for me is the dune grass. This is the first time I’ve included it in a beach painting, and I love the texture and movement it brings. And of course, there’s my little bunny—quietly watching the surf and the seagulls. Here in Oregon, if you’re lucky, you might spot families of wild rabbits along the coast. They’re always a delightful surprise.

This painting is also deeply rooted in memory. It was inspired by a beach my mother took me to as a child, once known as Devil’s Elbow. In 1998, it was renamed Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. It’s not only a place of childhood joy, but also where we returned her ashes to the ocean. It remains a cherished place for my family.

My mother, Laurel, loved the beach—both for its peaceful solitude and the memories made there together. It feels only fitting that this piece, Laurel’s Retreat, honors that connection.

Price: TBA

2026, Forest, Miniature Art, Water Study

Gently Down the Stream mini

February 26, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome the fifth 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection of mini treasures. This little gem will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, until it finds its forever home.

This piece was inspired by my larger 9×12 painting, Gently Down the Stream. I was so captivated by the original I felt compelled to explore it again—this time on a much smaller scale. There’s something magical about discovering that a scene can hold just as much presence and emotion in miniature. I’m truly delighted with how this one turned out.

The setting could be almost anywhere in western Oregon. It isn’t modeled after one specific river, but rather represents the mountain streams that wind through both the Cascade and Coastal ranges. It’s not uncommon here to stumble upon a quiet stretch of water where a family of ducks drifts peacefully beneath evergreen trees, mountains rising softly in the distance.

This painting flowed from me with surprising ease. Perhaps because this landscape feels like home. I can almost hear the water moving over stones and feel the stillness that settles in when you pause long enough to listen. I especially love how the magenta tones in the mountains echo the wildflowers near the stream, creating a gentle harmony across the canvas. The river’s subtle reflections bring the whole scene together in a way that feels calm and alive at the same time.

The most challenging—and slightly nerve-wracking—part was the ducks. I’ve committed 2026 to studying birds in nature, and every time I add them to a painting, I feel both excited and unsure. They stretch me. My hope is that by the end of the year, birds will feel as natural to paint as trees and rivers do now. This little mama duck and her ducklings feel like a sweet step forward on that journey.

My hope is that this landscape brings its new owner a deep sense of peace and tranquility. Life moves quickly. The river reminds us to slow down. Step outside. Listen. Enjoy nature while we can.

Price: For Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

2026, Forest, Miniature Art, Sold, Water Study

Newport, Oregon; v2

February 25, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome another 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection of mini treasures. This little gem will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon until it finds its forever home.

This piece was inspired by my deep love of the ocean. One of my favorite Oregon coastal towns is Newport, though truly, breathtaking views of the Pacific can be found all along our western border.

Oregon is home to eleven historic lighthouses, and in Newport you’ll find the iconic Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Completed in 1873, it remains the tallest lighthouse in the state. There’s something about a lighthouse that feels both grounding and hopeful, and I love the quiet strength lighthouses bring to my coastal artwork.

With each ocean painting, I grow more comfortable capturing the rhythm of the Pacific—the shifting highlights, the shadows within the waves, the subtle changes in color that create depth and movement. At the same time, I never want to lose that sense of whimsy… which is why a few gulls have made their way onto the beach.

The most unexpected gift in this piece was the sky. I have never painted clouds quite like these before. There is a movement between the sky and the sea that feels alive to me—almost as if they are in conversation. It has quickly become one of my favorites in the 2026 collection.

My hope is that this little ocean scene carries a piece of Oregon’s coastal beauty into its new home, bringing with it a sense of calm, wonder, and possibility.

Price: SOLD $50.00

2026, Forest

Pacific Northwest Waterfalls

February 23, 2026 DVD's Creations Leave a comment

Please welcome the fourth 4×4 painting in my 2026 collection. This little piece will be living at The Maker’s Mall in Veneta, Oregon, until it finds its forever home.

This painting is my tribute to the many breathtaking waterfalls scattered across our beautiful state of Oregon. We are so fortunate to have places like Silver Falls State Park, where forested trails lead you from one cascade to another—including the magical experience of walking behind a waterfall. I can sit and watch falling water for hours, mesmerized by both its power and its rhythm. It’s no surprise that waterfalls continue to find their way into my work.

This piece feels especially unique to me because it holds two falls within such a small space. I’ve been focusing intentionally on composition lately, and I’m pleased with how this scene unfolded. It feels balanced and alive. Staying true to my 2026 goal of working with birds, I added a lone duck resting in the lower pool. He feels completely present—unhurried and content. If I close my eyes, I can imagine myself sitting on those sun-warmed rocks in the lower right corner, brush in hand, painting the majestic view before me.

One of the challenges in this painting was creating depth. I’m learning how color temperature and value shifts help move elements back in space. I’m especially delighted that the distant rocky mountains truly feel far away, allowing the foreground to breathe and the waterfalls to shine.

My hope is that you can get lost in this tiny landscape the way I do.

This is the fourth in a growing collection of locally inspired works I’ll be sharing at The Maker’s Mall in the coming months. Perhaps it will carry a bit of Oregon’s wild beauty into someone’s everyday life.

Price: Fore Sale at The Maker’s Mall, Veneta OR

Exploring Creatively… One Art Piece at a Time